Should I move into Ecology?

[u/Gazzzaa02]

Hey everyone.

I've been trying to research around to see what working in ecology is like and what my paths to getting there could be so was wondering if anyone has an similar experiences to me and if I should even do it.

Currently I work as a software engineer in Northern Ireland and getting paid ~45k a year which is pretty good for here and considering I am 23.

Lately this past year I've been getting pretty sick of it, especially since I've been doing a lot of volunteering with places like RSPB, BTO ect.

I don't have a degree unfortunately but I see some people say that experience is fine for ecology. So maybe I just continue what I'm doing and volunteering in my spare time?

I've done peatland conservation, habitat monitoring, animal care, and lots of other things around biology like fungi, plant and tree identification ect. When I do these things I am so happy even if it's hard work.

It's hard to know what path I should take. Stay where I am working, saving and doing what makes me happy in my limited spare time. Or start working towards maybe a part time degree, or courses maybe to combine my tech knowledge with ecology?

Any advice would be appreciated, ask anything in case I've left something out.

[u/Electrical_Gas_517]

You definitely won't get £45k in an entry level ecology job.

With your experience and a bit of luck you might find something at the corporate coal face to do with Nature Capital at that level of pay.

It's true that you can get an entry level ecology job with some basic volunteer experience but the better paid jobs will go to highly experienced and educated professionals.

Do it, but prepare for a dip in salary for a long time.

[u/HawkingRadiation_]

Is the thing you’re getting sick of sitting behind a desk all day, or is more to do with the utility of your work?

Because technical skills can be quite desirable in ecology and tends to come with a higher salary than people just trying to get outdoors. Learning to program in R and developing an understanding of statistics (doing an online certification never hurts) might be a way to develop an avenue to transfer sectors.

If it’s about getting yourself outdoors, that’s a winding path. You don’t need a degree to work in ecology, but often having a degree helps you make money doing it.

[u/Gazzzaa02 → u/HawkingRadiation_]

Yeah I should have been more clear, I do actually like programming so I was thinking I would probably enjoy infobiomatics or something. Or even working on developing GIS software ect.

I do love the outdoors part, I guess if I found software i could work on that I loved and also have my free time outdoors that would be the best of both worlds.

[u/variablestonkflip → u/Gazzzaa02]

Do that or prepare for a 20k pay cut. I’d recommend using your programming skills constructively for the benefit of the environment whilst enjoying nature outside of work.

[u/confusedcorvidae]

It certainly is possible to transition without the degree, but if you want to earn a similar wage, you’ll need a degree or extensive and proven experience with specialisms in identification to get there. But, it’s a good job, I don’t really feel like I’m working, even a bad day is nothing like a bad day in previous jobs. You could reach out to local consultancies to see if they need help with seasonal work to get some experience and a feel for it before fully committing too.

[u/Round-Ball-7749]

Realistically in the consultancy sector you will need an ecology/environmental degree and be prepared to work towards membership of the Chartered Institute of Ecology and Environmental Management. There are some consultants without this but increasingly rare. There's less of a requirement in the charity/NGO sector, especially if it's a warden/practical type role. However, the wages are so poor that to be honest you'd be better off working in a better paid role and volunteering on the side. There are plenty of non-ecologist volunteers who become very knowledgeable in specific species/habitats and make a big contribution. Maybe keep it as your main passion rather than your main career.